MASH Actors: Complete Cast Guide, Living Stars, and Salaries

The cast of M*A*S*H created television history with 251 episodes of wartime comedy and drama, but off-screen tensions and the passing of stars like Loretta Swit in 2025 reveal a legacy more complex than the show’s cheerful operating room.

Total episodes: 251 · Years aired: 1972–1983 · Main cast members: 14 · Actors still alive (2025): 4 · Actors appeared in every episode: 1

Which actor appeared in all 251 episodes of MASH?

Alan Alda, who played Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce, is the only cast member to appear in every one of M*A*S*H’s 251 episodes. His presence spans the entire series from 1972 to 1983, making him the constant face of the 4077th.

Who was the highest paid actor on MASH?

Alan Alda also earned the highest salary on the show, a reflection of his lead role and eventual executive producer influence. Exact dollar figures vary among reports, but multiple biographies confirm he topped the cast pay scale.

Which MASH actors have passed away?

As of 2025, seven of the 11 main cast members have died. The deaths span from 1996 (McLean Stevenson) through 2025 (Loretta Swit). A 2026 summary article from True North Brief lists the full timeline of passings. Loretta Swit’s death on May 30, 2025, at age 87 from natural causes was reported by Parade and confirmed by Woman’s World.

Which actor didn’t like Alan Alda on MASH?

The best-documented creative tension involved McLean Stevenson, who played Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake. According to a True North Brief report, Alda and Stevenson did not see eye to eye on the show’s direction—Stevenson wanted more comedy, while Alda pushed for dramatic wartime realism. This friction contributed to Stevenson’s departure in 1975 after the third season. However, there is no credible evidence of a lasting feud between Alda and the other main cast members.

“We had different ideas of what the show should be. I wanted to keep it funny; Alan saw it as a drama with jokes.” – McLean Stevenson (paraphrased from interview excerpts)

Did Loretta Swit and Alan Alda get along on MASH?

Unlike the tension with Stevenson, the relationship between Loretta Swit (Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan) and Alan Alda was positive. Both actors frequently praised each other in interviews, and Swit described Alda as a supportive co-star. No credible reports of discord exist between them.

“Working with Alan was a joy. He made everyone better.” – Loretta Swit (from a 2010 interview)

Timeline: Key events in M*A*S*H cast history

• 1972: M*A*S*H premieres with original cast – source: general TV history
• 1975: McLean Stevenson leaves the show – reported in multiple cast histories
• 1983: Final episode “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” airs – well documented
• 1996: McLean Stevenson dies – noted in obituaries
• 2000: Larry Linville dies – noted in obituaries
• 2015: Wayne Rogers dies – noted in obituaries
• 2016: William Christopher dies – noted in obituaries
• 2025: Loretta Swit dies (Parade, 2025)

For a deeper look into the off-screen dynamics, check out this detailed breakdown of M*A*S*H actors salaries and feuds.

Frequently Asked Questions